Archos TV+ WiFi-enabled DVR gets official

Don't act surprised -- you knew good and well this thing was a-comin', and it seems launch day has finally arrived. Highlighted now on the firm's website, the TV+ DVR still rocks that WiFi goodness we knew would be included, with options for an 80GB or 250GB hard drive and the ability to schedule, record and stream content at will. Additionally, you can sync your recorded shows with your Archos PMP, flip through songs / photos and even view PDFs. You know by now if this one is still lingering on your must-have list, and if so, you can snag one for $229 (80GB) or $349 (250GB).

Gallery: Archos TV+ WiFi-enabled DVR gets official

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[admin @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:47PM]

I gotta get me one of these!
-Will Smith

Seriously.

[Anthony @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:51PM]

This really looks like the year for streaming media. I hope Sling didn't wait too long. Apple was early & the functionality isn't there (no closed captions, no real menu support).

I'm glad I haven't gone w/ a hobbled together or featureless setup just to satiate my desire to dump physical formats.

[EJ @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:06PM]

Sounds great. Maybe I'm behind the curve here, but there don't seem to be enough DVR's that don't require ridiculous service plans. For the price of a decent TIVO and a 3 year service plan, you could almost get a dedicated Media Center (Vista) PC to do your recording. This could be real competition for TIVO.

[slumcat @ Mar 28th 2008 5:41PM]

So does this thing take a CableCard and interact directly with my digital cable? If not, how does it change the channel of my digital cable box?

[thethirdmoose @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:21PM]

Probably with an IR blaster or serial connection

[Charbax @ Jan 4th 2008 3:24AM]

It uses an infrared emitter, which there is a setting in the options of the device for nearly every TV tuner ever released, be them for cable, terrestrial or satellite TV. So you can choose the programs to record from the online program guide, and it'll switch your tuner over infrared at the correct time and do the video recording in the space-saving Mpeg4 format then. You can fit a whole lot of near-DVD quality video recordings at 2500kbit/s on a 250GB hard drive. And you can easilly dump the recordings onto more external usb hard drives or onto storage on your local network.

[topspinserve @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:11PM]

I might consider getting this, as long as Archos doesn't cripple it and require you to pay for things that should have been included features, like they do with their PMPs. I'm worried about those "optional plugins" for MPEG-2, VOB, and H. 264.

[JohnTitor @ Jan 4th 2008 1:00AM]

My guess is they probably will, but it really is not crippling. It's giving options because they have to pay other companies to be able to use their stuff and they don't wanna pass the price on to the consumer if they don't want it. That's why the price is so low compared to say the AppleTV+.

One thing I like about this device is the qwerty remote to surf the web on an HDTV, before you needed a whole HTPC with a cordless keyboard.

[Kakkoii @ Jan 4th 2008 3:32PM]

That's just extra formats to save in. No need to pay for something like that.

Just record the video. Pop it onto your computer and convert it to whatever format you want.

[Moosejaw @ Jan 4th 2008 10:50AM]

Is the video format this thing records as iPod compatible? I'd love to get one of these but I can't give up my mac syncing.

[Ian @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:41PM]

A vernice machine.
Downside is that in this iteration it has NO ATS/QAM tuner, no CableCard usage.
Quote
Records NTSC/PAL/SECAM to MPEG-4 SP files with ADPCM stereo sound, VGA resolution (640 x 480)@ 30 or 25 f/s, in AVI format.

[austin @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:37PM]

is it HD?

[austin @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:38PM]

i just answered my own question. yes.
sorry

[Mark @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:47PM]

If you think "up to DVD resolution" is HD.

[Yevon @ Jan 4th 2008 12:05AM]

If it was HD I would buy one right now. I hope they do make an HD model later. This thing looks really good.

[Charbax @ Jan 4th 2008 3:29AM]

It's supposed to get an optional HD Plugin that you can install for it. I think it will support 720p for DivX and other Mpeg4 and 1080i for Mpeg2, but possibly it will not support HD for WMV and H264. And recordings cannot be HD, you have to consider this is encoding all the recordings to Mpeg4 DivX format to save space on the hard drive (it's not just storing the Mpeg2 DVB tv feed as other DVRs like the Tivo and Dish Networks DVRs do), so it cannot record to HD resolutions for now. Keep in mind, Archos hasn't recently confirmed when the HD Plugin would be available or if it would be available. I hope they will clarify this at the CES.

[rcappo @ Jan 4th 2008 12:57AM]

It is a very nice attempt. And I like the HDMI port. But it needs to be able to bring in HD content from over the air, satellite or cable. Then record in HD and output in HD.

Being able to save or group recorded shows would be a good thing as well.

I am currently building a MythTV box that isn't as pretty but will do what I want it to do.

[Constable Odo @ Jan 4th 2008 1:21AM]

Since it has a USB port, maybe something like a Pinnacle PCTV HD stick might work for grabbing HD content.

Sad to say, but this Archos device definitely has AppleTV beat in hardware. AppleTV seriously needs an upgrade.

[LiciousTheDiva @ Jan 4th 2008 2:40AM]

"Sad to say, but this Archos device definitely has AppleTV beat in hardware."

How? Recording capabilities: YES

Tthe max resolution output of the Archos is "DVD resolution" (I'm assuming that's 720x480 anamorphic). Last time I checked, AppleTV's 1280x720p max resolution beats that.

[Charbax @ Jan 4th 2008 3:35AM]

Archos TV+ should be able to output 1280x720 resolution video as well. HD content on the Archos would be streamed directly from the Internet, such as HD quality 720p VOD content. So I consider this Archos TV+ to compete against Bluray and HDDVD, as long as you have got at least a 4mbit/s download connection, you should be able to stream HD video content with this. Consider also that this Archos can work independantly of a computer in the home, unlike the Apple TV which requires you to have a Mac or Windows PC running iTunes or something like that.

For 1280x720 video support on the Archos (720p for Mpeg4, 1080i for Mpeg2) you will need to get the HD Plugin for it, which I think Archos will talk about at CES.

[thethirdmoose @ Jan 4th 2008 1:38AM]

The recent hack might also work for this

[thethirdmoose @ Jan 4th 2008 1:38AM]

The recent hack might also work for this

[L.Rawlins @ Jan 4th 2008 4:54AM]

Damn, I thought someone had finally integrated all of this goodness into the back of an HDTV until I opened the read link.

[SJ @ Jan 4th 2008 4:54AM]

Can someone explain to me how this thing works? Here's what I understand so far:

-You need an external TV which would connect to this, and this would connect to the TV (using the various outputs, including HDMI). I don't see any inputs for coaxial cables on this.
-You can stream content from your PC to this (and then to the TV) through wi-fi and/or ethernet right?
-What is the USB port for? For transferring recorded content to your PMP and PC?
-Can this grab over-the-air HDTV?

Thanks in advance.

[SJ @ Jan 4th 2008 5:08AM]

I meant "external TV tuner", not "external TV". Of course you need an external TV.

[SJ @ Jan 4th 2008 5:16AM]

One more question...can you connect your gaming consoles to this and record your gameplay videos to this? Would it be possible to record 360/PS3 videos at 720p on this? Man that would be great.

[Xzavier @ Jan 4th 2008 10:49AM]

What da heck???

What does this link http://www.articleland.co.uk/articles/18144/1/Swiss-Rolex-replica/Page1.html have anything to do with this current article? And the only reason why I read it is because I work in Manhattan and I was hoping to find some good info on those "Swiss Rolex Replicas" just incase if I had to go to some sort of fancy party. But once I saw the price of those things...

1. They are never going to be any competition to those guys selling watches on the street corner... NEVER!
2. For that price I might as well buy the REAL THING!
3. You see that red button by the side of your name, click-click... Please, no spamming or the likes here in Engadget. Thanks!

[Naomi Graychase @ Jan 4th 2008 11:29AM]

Wi-Fi is hyphenated.

[Matt @ Jan 4th 2008 4:06PM]

Records: 640x480
Plays back: "up to DVD resolution" (720x480)

This is not a hi-definition box, regardless of the fact that it has HD inputs & outputs. This probably has more to do with content protection than a technology limitation.

On the other hand, Apple TV does HD output (720p). Yes, the only HD content available through iTunes are podcasts, but you can convert other formats to the one supported by the box.

[W00d @ Jan 24th 2008 6:02PM]

Move over Apple. I think this is just what archos needs. They are making some amazing PMP's and now this. clicking the |Buy it NOW| button. Peace